Deck 5: Groups and Networks

Question 1

Juan and Sylvester are collaborating on a project at work,but are having trouble agreeing on objectives and goals.Henry senses the trouble they are having and steps in to help them refine their goals and come to an agreement.The manager is pleased with Henry's success in diffusing a potentially problematic situation and promotes Henry to project leader.Henry assumed which of Simmel's roles?

A) mediator
B) team leader
C) divide et impera
D) tertius gaudens

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A classroom would not typically fall under Simmel's classification of a small group because:

A) there is no face-to-face interaction.
B) it is not unifocal in perspective.
C) there are formal arrangements or roles.
D) the relationships are equal.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Simmel describes three basic forms of political relations a third party can assume when joining a dyad.Which of the roles listed below was NOT discussed by Simmel?

A) a third party who helps resolve conflict
B) a third party who benefits from conflict
C) a third party who drives a wedge between a dyad
D) a third party who engages the dyad

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The most important difference between primary and secondary groups has to do with:

A) size, because it is impossible to have intimacy in secondary groups.
B) the kinds of relationships that exist within them.
C) whether the people in the group trust each other.
D) the level of competition for scarce resources within the group.

Question 5

When your lecture class in which only the professor was speaking breaks off into ten small groups of five students,it has switched from being ____________ to being ____________.

A) a dyad; a triad
B) formal; informal
C) a group; a network
D) unifocal; multifocal

Question 6

According to Simmel,the essential feature of a party is that it is:

A) multifocal.
B) unifocal.
C) unfocused.
D) difficult to control.

Question 7

Who wrote a classic work distinguishing dyads from triads and argued that the number of people in a group is important in determining the form social relationships will take within that group?

A) Durkheim
B) Fake
C) Simmel
D) Cooley

Question 8

Which sociologist distinguished between primary and secondary groups?

A) Georg Simmel
B) Max Weber
C) Erving Goffman
D) Charles Horton Cooley

Question 9

A married couple and their firstborn child are a type of group known as:

A) a dyad.
B) a triad.
C) a party.
D) a small group.

Question 10

Parenting coordinators are sometimes brought in by the court to help relieve tension between divorcing parents.When a dispute arises between the parents,the parenting coordinator can step in and help moms and dads "keep the peace." The coordinator plays the role of:

A) the third that rejoices.
B) divide and conquer.
C) mediator.
D) counselor "at large."

Question 11

When you go on a date with one other person,you have formed a:

A) union.
B) party.
C) relationship.
D) dyad.

Question 12

What kind of group ceases to exist if even one member leaves the group?

A) dyads
B) triads
C) affinity groups
D) informal groups

Question 13

In which of the following groups is a coalition formation impossible?

A) dyads
B) secondary groups
C) primary groups
D) triads

Question 14

You and your friend have created a technology start-up.Since its inception,it has become very successful and you've had to hire many employees.At what point will you realize that it has become,in Simmel's terms,a large group?

A) when you don't know everyone's name
B) when formal job titles are created and formal hierarchies between employees emerge
C) when you have to build cubicles for your employees' privacy
D) when you begin issuing stock options to employees as part of their compensation package

Question 15

Sociologist Georg Simmel (1950)argues that "size matters" in a group primarily because the number of people in a group determines:

A) how large the group can become.
B) what people will say.
C) what people think about others.
D) the structure social relations will take.

Question 16

When a dyad becomes a triad,the third member can gain tremendous power.Which role involves playing one member against the other for his or her own advantage?

A) mediator
B) divide and conquer
C) the third that rejoices
D) coalition

Question 17

If the buying public can be seen as playing two producers off against each other and promoting their self-interest by gaining the lowest price,the buying public could be viewed as playing the role of:

A) the third that rejoices.
B) divide and conquer.
C) mediator.
D) monopoly.

Question 18

A person who intentionally tries to drive a wedge between two other people is termed by Simmel as:

A) divide and conquer.
B) the third that rejoices.
C) slash and burn.
D) scapegoat.

Question 19

If stepsiblings are asked to share bedrooms or other possessions,and one of them views such sharing as an intrusion,he or she may have difficulty overcoming the tendency to play the role of ____________ between his or her parent and the new stepmother or stepfather.

A) tertius gaudens
B) divide et impera
C) mediator
D) arbitrator

Question 20

According to Simmel,which of the following groups is the most fragile?

A) triad
B) dyad
C) primary group
D) secondary group

Question 21

Which of the following types of groups are significant in that they distinguish between the relative power to define what are normal versus abnormal types of behavior within the groups?

A) in-groups and out-groups
B) primary and secondary groups
C) small and large groups
D) parties and large groups

Question 22

Powerful groups that are often the majority,such as heterosexuals in the United States,are known as:

A) primary groups.
B) secondary groups.
C) in-groups.
D) out-groups.

Question 23

Which of the following would be an example of a large group using Simmel's classification?

A) people attending a party
B) a large study group
C) people at a movie theater
D) a symphony orchestra

Question 24

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between in-groups and out-groups?

A) Out-groups are numerically greater.
B) In-groups are numerically smaller.
C) Out-groups are more powerful.
D) In-groups are more powerful.

Question 25

Stigmatized groups,such as gays and lesbians in the United States,are known as:

A) primary groups.
B) secondary groups.
C) in-groups.
D) out-groups.

Question 26

Solomon Asch's experiments on group conformity demonstrate:

A) that people are more reluctant to conform to group pressure if they have lots of money.
B) how women are more susceptible to group pressure than men.
C) how powerful the influence of a group can be on an individual.
D) the power of leadership on people's decisions.

Question 27

Marina is a ten-year-old girl who idolizes singers like Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera.She compares herself to them and imitates them while singing in front of her bedroom mirror.These singers are known as Marina's:

A) in-group.
B) out-group.
C) reference group.
D) primary group.

Question 28

Jill attends a leadership training session at her company's corporate offices.There are six trainers and 48 participants at the seminar.This would be an example of which kind of group?

A) small
B) primary
C) large
D) party

Question 29

A group that helps us understand our position relative to other groups is a(n):

A) secondary group.
B) reference group.
C) small group.
D) in-group.

Question 30

Which of the following conducted experiments and established a test that demonstrates the power of group conformity?

A) Asch
B) Cooley
C) Merton
D) Simmel

Question 31

Your introduction to sociology class is probably which of the following types of groups identified by Cooley?

A) secondary
B) small
C) large
D) party

Question 32

Sets of dyads held together by ties between the individuals are known as:

A) triads.
B) social networks.
C) primary groups.
D) reference groups.

Question 33

A set of stories that ties you to a social group is known as a:

A) tie.
B) connection.
C) narrative.
D) triad.

Question 34

Chapter 5,which explores interaction in groups,opens with a story about an Australian artist who creates a business importing and distributing food products and utilities from around the globe.Her business would not be possible without:

A) coffee.
B) social networks.
C) Web documentation.
D) a cell phone.

Question 35

You have six friends over to your apartment for dinner and drinks.Three of the friends are discussing Einstein's theory of relativity,while the other three are talking about the World Cup.According to Simmel,is this a party yet?

A) Yes, because everyone seems to be having a great time!
B) No, because Einstein's theory of relativity is a boring topic.
C) No, because there are only two topics being discussed.
D) Yes, because the conversation is not unifocal.

Question 36

A family is an example of which type of group identified by Cooley?

A) primary
B) secondary
C) small
D) large

Question 37

Which of the following types of groups do people compare themselves to,even if they don't know each other personally?

A) in-groups
B) out-groups
C) reference groups
D) primary groups

Question 38

While a social network is ____________,a social tie ____________.

A) the relationship between two people; explains how two people know each other
B) how people stay in touch with each other; explains how people maintain their relationship
C) how two people know each other; is how two people maintain their relationship
D) the connections between people; is the way in which two people form bonds

Question 39

Cooley distinguished between two types of groups he called:

A) triads and dyads.
B) small and large groups.
C) primary and secondary groups.
D) parties and wild bashes.

Question 40

The characteristics of a formal structure and status differentiation are essential to which of Simmel's types of groups?

A) triads
B) small groups
C) parties
D) large groups

Question 41

Which of the following cultures is a case study of a lifestyle that has endured and maintained its traditions despite wide changes in U.S.modern life?

A) Native Americans in New Mexico
B) Italian Americans in New York
C) the Amish in Pennsylvania
D) polygamous families in Utah

Question 42

In contrast to Putnam's claims that civic engagement (and social capital)has declined,sociologist Robert Wuthnow contends that:

A) social capital never declined or disappeared, but merely changed forms.
B) modern Americans are worse off than when social connections were denser.
C) those connections have been lost, and as a result our communities are weaker.
D) the high levels of civic disengagement are the result of new forms of technology.

Question 43

The term "six degrees of separation" came out of research undertaken by Stanley Milgram,who wanted to test:

A) how social chains operate in organizations.
B) how strangers meet at cocktail parties.
C) the reach of social networks.
D) the number of steps people take before landing in prison.

Question 44

The sum of stories about a set of ties that exist between people is known as a:

A) social network.
B) narrative.
C) uniplex tie.
D) multiplex tie.

Question 45

Sociologists refer to the degree to which ties are reinforced through indirect paths within a social network as:

A) embeddedness.
B) structural holes.
C) social capital.
D) a narrative.

Question 46

Although Putnam's research suggests that the United States is becoming less community oriented and more selfish,which of the following events led to a temporary revival of civic engagement among young adults?

A) the death of Tupac Shakur
B) the terrorist attacks of 9/11
C) the rise in gas prices
D) the Boston Red Sox winning the World Series

Question 47

The fact that relatively weak ties that are not reinforced through indirect paths often turn out to be the most valuable,especially in job searches,is known as:

A) a structural hole.
B) embeddedness.
C) the strength of weak ties.
D) networking.

Question 48

____________ is/are the information,knowledge of people or things,and connections that help individuals enter preexisting networks or gain power from them.

A) Narratives
B) Isomorphism
C) Social capital
D) Organizational resources

Question 49

Janet was surprised to find out her gynecologist,Dr.Herring,was good friends with her tennis partner,Sally.Janet had met Sally years ago in graduate school,while Dr.Herring knew Sally from church.The nature of their relationship to Sally is what sociologists call a(n):

A) narrative.
B) reference group.
C) tie.
D) in-group.

Question 50

What trend,related to a decline in social capital,did Robert Putnam focus on in his book Bowling Alone?

A) the decline in donations to charitable organizations in the United States
B) the decline in beer drinking among "lone" bowlers
C) the declining interest in global capital investments
D) the declining interest in community-based activities and organizations

Question 51

Emma is hoping to secure an internship with an engineering firm this summer.She's talked with friends and family,but they have not been able to provide her with any helpful contacts.Emma runs into her former aerobics instructor,whom she hasn't seen in several years,and her instructor offers to put her in contact with an engineering friend of hers.This is an example of what concept?

A) strength of weak ties
B) embeddedness
C) libertarian municipalism
D) social climbing

Question 52

The example of how real estate agents earn money by contractually maintaining or creating distance or contact between potential buyers and sellers highlights which of the following?

A) structural holes
B) narratives
C) social capital
D) bureaucracies

Question 53

Which of the following is true regarding the Amish community's beliefs and practices?

A) The Amish are not allowed to use or interact with technology.
B) The Amish are staunch supporters of individualism.
C) The Amish are allowed to accept financial capital from outsiders.
D) The Amish are more likely to start successful businesses than the general public.

Question 54

Although we frequently speak of "six degrees of separation," in fact,approximately ____________ of the people in the world are connected to each other through
Six steps.

A) all
B) half
C) none
D) 23 percent

Question 55

What appears to be the main reason for the success of Amish businesses when compared to other U.S.businesses?

A) The Amish live by prioritizing the community and its social capital rather than rugged individualism.
B) The Amish value rugged individualism over the community and its social capital.
C) The Amish hire outsourced labor from Mexico.
D) The Amish reject all use of modern technology.

Question 56

Weak ties are valuable parts of a social network because:

A) it is easier to sever them if a friendship doesn't blossom smoothly.
B) it is easier to exert power over those to which we have such ties.
C) they are more likely to introduce us to new information and ideas.
D) we do not have to invest as much energy in maintaining them.

Question 57

According to data presented in Chapter 5,which of the following is true regarding social capital in the United States today?

A) Social capital is increasing.
B) Social capital is decreasing.
C) Social capital is relatively the same as it was 30 years ago.
D) Social capital data are not available to sociologists.

Question 58

In hopes of earning a few dollars on investments they no longer use or want,some people take their household items to consignment shops,while other people sell their items on eBay.Which method of selling can be argued to have more structural holes?

A) selling through a consignment shop, because buyers are prevented from negotiating with sellers
B) selling via eBay, because buyers and sellers can negotiate without third-party interference
C) selling via a consignment shop, because everyone (buyers, sellers, shop owners) benefits
D) selling via eBay, because structural holes increase as the number of bids increases

Question 59

The examples of more and more people bowling and eating alone are used to highlight a more general trend involving:

A) the decline in social and emotional support.
B) civic disengagement and a decline in social capital.
C) social isolationism and alienation in modern society.
D) the breakdown in the nuclear family.

Question 60

You are at a party with a very close group of friends one evening,and you spy an acquaintance (a former classmate from a sociology class)at the same party.If the acquaintance becomes friends with your group of friends,the tie between you and your former classmate is stronger because:

A) you are now much more intimate with your former classmate.
B) it is now reinforced by the ties between your close group of friends.
C) ties to your close group of friends have changed.
D) of dialectics.

Question 61

Describe the Asch experiments conducted on group conformity.

Question 62

Summarize Simmel's work on dyads and triads.

Question 63

According to a 2002 article in USA Today that was discussed in Chapter 5,a researcher found that 11 of the 15 largest companies have at least two board members who sit together on another board.This is referred to as:

A) isomorphism.
B) organizational structure.
C) interlocking directorates.
D) politics.

Question 64

A friendship group isn't an example of a formal organization because:

A) friends don't tend to engage in collective activities.
B) friends include strong ties, not weak ties.
C) friends typically don't have formal rules and governing structures.
D) even if one person leaves the group, they will still go on.

Question 65

Which of the following is a federal law that eliminated quotas on national origins for potential immigrants to the United States?

A) the Fourteenth Amendment
B) the Hart-Cellar Act
C) Title IX
D) the Civil Rights Act

Question 66

Define what Cooley meant by primary groups and secondary groups,and give one example of each.

Question 67

The ways in which power and authority are distributed hierarchically within an organization are called:

A) isomorphism.
B) organizational structure.
C) old boys' club.
D) patriarchy.

Question 68

The study that analyzed the sexual networks of teens at 12 high schools is an example of how network analysis can inform transmission phenomena such as the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).An advantage of network analysis over interpretive sociology is that it can:

A) go beyond people's own descriptions to look at numbers, which are always more reliable than people's descriptions.
B) reveal the meanings people give to their sexual encounters.
C) reveal patterns in social structures that might not become evident through answers to direct questions.
D) go beyond what people say they do to reveal the complex interplay between biology and social behavior.

Question 69

A process by which organizations face the same conditions,and ultimately tend to end up like each other,is known as:

A) embeddedness.
B) the power elite.
C) reference groups.
D) isomorphism.

Question 70

Today,the legal approach to immigration in the United States is based on which of the following?

A) how much money potential immigrants and their families have to pay to get in
B) the national origin of potential immigrants
C) people's family preferences and ties
D) whether or not potential immigrants speak English

Question 71

A general rule found in research,known as "no cycles of four" within two romantic heterosexual couples,is that people rarely date the ex-partner of their own ex-partner's new boy- or girlfriend.What explanation is given for this finding?

A) The exes have already moved on to new partners.
B) The four members of the group don't like one another anymore.
C) The replaced exes don't want to lose social status and be seen as "leftovers."
D) One of the partners was hiding his or her homosexuality and now only wants a homosexual partner.

Question 72

C.Wright Mills's term for interlocking directorates is which of the following?

A) the power elite
B) patriarchy
C) hierarchy
D) conflict of interest

Question 73

A local organization values democracy and diversity and therefore solicits input on every decision it makes and uses recruiting strategies that are likely to attract a wide variety of applicants.These beliefs and behaviors are part of the:

A) old boys' club.
B) organizational culture.
C) organizational decline.
D) formal organization.

Question 74

The flagship university in your state recently completed a new state-of-the-art student center,complete with bowling alleys,fast-food outlets,group study space,and the latest green technology.Shortly after it was finished,almost every other university in your state began clamoring for a new student center,too.How would the theory of institutional isomorphism explain this?

A) Their student centers were probably also out of date.
B) Universities see an indirect payoff in such an investment.
C) As tuition rises, parents are increasingly vocal stakeholders.
D) Universities operate in the same environment and therefore end up looking alike.

Question 75

An interlocking directorate is:

A) the shared beliefs and behaviors within a social group.
B) the ways in which power and authority are distributed within an organization.
C) when members of corporate boards sit on the board of directors for multiple companies.
D) a set of social relations held together by ties between individuals.

Question 76

Because of the Hart-Cellar Act,immigrants who come to the United States today have it much easier than previous generations because they:

A) have less paperwork to fill out and less "red tape" to muddle through.
B) have help from government agencies who place them in jobs.
C) face less discrimination and hostility when they arrive in the United States.
D) have more connections to housing, jobs, and other resources in their community.

Question 77

Any social network that is defined by a common purpose and that has a boundary between its members and the rest of the social world is known within sociology as a(n):

A) political party.
B) narrative.
C) large group.
D) organization.

Question 78

Which of the following is true regarding the applicability of network analysis within sociological research?

A) It can be used in both micro-level and macro-level studies.
B) It can be used in micro-level studies only.
C) It can be used in macro-level studies only.
D) It has not yet been applied to either micro-level or macro-level studies.

Question 79

Former president George W.Bush and other religious and conservative policy makers' emphasis on abstinence programs and "virginity pledges" has led to a(n):

A) increase in teen pregnancy.
B) decrease in teen pregnancy.
C) earlier onset of sexual activity, on average.
D) delayed onset of sexual activity, on average.

Question 80

When a single parent marries (or remarries),issues such as divided loyalties,the right to discipline,favoritism,and financial responsibility can prove to be volatile.Peggy,a single mom who has had sole custody of her 12-year-old daughter Sarah for ten years,recently married Tom.Tom has never been married and doesn't have any children.Provide examples of each of the three basic forms of relations (mediator,tertius gaudens,and divide et impera)that could emerge in this newly formed triad.